Residents and businesses turn to power washing as an alternative to more radical restoration improvements to remove stains from buildings and surrounding property. Since power washing is typically performed outside, power washer operators must know about regulations regarding wastewater.

Discharge into Storm Sewers Prohibited

Power washing wastewater cannot be discharged into the storm sewer if it contains pollutants or cleaning compounds and is not treated prior to flowing back into the environment (applicable code that applies to the discharges into storm sewers or watercourses can be found in Article 5 of Chapter 6-5 of the Austin City Code). Please contact Austin's Watershed Protection Department at 512-974-3500 for more information.

Discharging into the Sanitary Sewer

Power washing wastewater may be allowed to discharge into the sanitary sewer under certain conditions. Wastewater must be collected and transported to a private fixed site facility connected to the City’s sanitary sewer collection system. City Code applying to sanitary sewer system discharges can be found in Chapter 15-10 of the Austin City Code (Wastewater Regulations).

If you would like to establish your own private fixed site facility, you must meet certain conditions:

The fixed site facility must have appropriate pretreatment (e.g., grit trap).

Austin Water Utility will conduct a review to determine if a wastewater flow meter will be required for discharge from the fixed site to facilitate billing for wastewater charges and, possibly, wastewater surcharges.

Other Discharge Options

Local landfills may be another option for the disposing hauled liquid waste. Please call and check with each landfill site for their individual requirements.

Prohibited Discharge Sites

Hauled industrial wastewater cannot be disposed at the City’s Approved Receiving Station. You also cannot dump this wastewater down a cleanout, manhole or toilet at the site you are cleaning unless the site is permitted by Austin Water and has an appropriated sized sand/oil interceptor. Any unauthorized discharge into the sanitary sewer system is a violation of Chapter 15-10, considered a Class C Misdemeanor and is punishable with a fine of up to $2,000 per day per violation.

Before You Start

First, contact Austin Water's Special Services Division at 512-972-1060 or by 24-hour pager at 512-802-8919 to ensure your power washing operation remains in compliance.